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IASIS neurofeedback is recommended to help mitigate the stress response due to pain, anxiety, depression, and life changes; it can assist the body in engaging in its own physiological healing systems to further support you on your healing journey.
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that responds to abnormal brain waves with the intention to promote healthier brain function and operating functions. The intention of biofeedback treatments is to help your body step into balanced ways of being; it helps retrain the brain and body to function according to homeostasis even when not receiving biofeedback treatments.
Neurofeedback can be a stand-alone therapy, but also works synergistically with other modalities to improve effectiveness. It promotes a calm nervous system, and allows the body to transition into rest, repair, relax mode, where the healing and rebalancing takes place.
Is this a new treatment?
IASIS neurofeedback has been used since the 1990’s and over 750,000 patients have been treated with technologies similar to IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback.
What is the difference between conventional neurofeedback and microcurrent neurofeedback (MCN)?
Traditional neurofeedback is when a patient has to actively respond to an audio/visual stimulus. For example, if a patient is shown a stressful video, they must actively try to respond to the video in a healthy way that prevents them from feeling as stressful. In other words, there is no response from the neurofeedback facilitating the therapeutic activity. Traditional neurofeedback takes about 45 minutes to an hour, and patients require more than 40 sessions to notice satisfying results.
Microcurrent neurofeedback sends the stimulus and responds to it without the active contribution of the patient. This allows the brain to rest and regulate itself on a more efficient, faster, and larger scale. MCN are typically 30 minute sessions and patients normally require 10 to 20 (or more) sessions depending on their condition and response to treatment.
Is MCN safe?
Yes, Microcurrent Neurofeedback is a non-invasive technology which has shown no long term heightened symptoms of the conditions it is used to treat. It is even safe to use on babies and pregnant women.
Are there side effects to MCN?
There may be a few side effects that last a few minutes to a few hours. Some of these side effects include lightheadedness, temporary fatigue, spaciousness, anxiousness, and/or a temporary increase of symptoms. A complete list of side-effects can be reviewed through our consent form.
Who are potential candidates for MCN?
MCN has shown to be effective for patients with a wide spectrum of neuro conditions which can include PTSD, TBI, Depression, ADD/ADHD, Epilepsy, Autism, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia pain, and even Substance abuse.
Symptoms MCN can assist with include assistance with anxiety, hypervigilance (or vigilant alertness), fears, anger/rage, deep sadness, irritability and restlessness, feelings of helplessness, irritability and explosiveness, loss of energy, motivation, and sense of humor, problems of clarity, thinking and estimating clearly, memory difficulties, sleeping problems, being unable to do more than one thing at a time, problems following conversations and reading material, and problems absorbing and taking to heart what people say.
Research conducted shows that participants who were administered the IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback had a reduction in abnormal slow waves by approximately 53.6%. Post concussive syndrome symptoms were also shown to reduce by about 52.76%.
Ultimately, MCN helps activate the body’s natural healing process.
Could I continue taking medication with MCN?
Yes, the efficacy of MCN does not decrease with the use of medication. Although it is recommended to confirm with your physician if certain medication can be consumed in conjunction with this treatment.
How many sessions are needed before I notice changes?
People normally notice changes after 4-5 sessions, but some patients require at least 10 sessions before they observe changes. The total number of sessions varies according to the severity of the condition and the response of the body to the treatment. Most patients undergo 10-20+ sessions initially and move to more spaced out treatments during the maintenance phase of their protocols.
How does MCN work?
MCN uses a low power electromagnetic field that is received by the brain. The feedback frequency responds to the dominant brain wave frequency. The results of this treatment can be seen through greater brain and nervous system regulation.Because it utilizes current that is low enough to be safely used in infants, it is important to note that the effects of MCN are cumulative; meaning that the effect builds upon itself with each subsequent treatment.
What happens during a session?
While seated, five lightweight EEG electrodes will be placed at different areas on your head and neck. The areas will first be cleaned off and then a conductive paste will be applied to hold the electrodes in place. The position of the electrodes may vary through the treatment and in subsequent treatments. The position of the electrodes is determined by the clinician in accordance with the patient treatment goals.
What else can biofeedback aid with?
Muscle biofeedback has shown to be effective in relieving pain and chronically tense muscles. It is even used to help restore muscle strength after accidents or paralysis.
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